Abstract
Utilizing a rotatable thin birefringent crystal and two polarizers, the three-dimensional (3D) wave front of any light wave can be measured conveniently. In first experiments phase-front distortions as small as are detected with a dynamic range of 3 mm and a spatial resolution of . Such a dynamic range and spatial resolution exceed the performance of conventional wave front sensors of, e.g., the Shack-Hartmann type, significantly. Furthermore, the new system is rather insensitive against mechanical instabilities in opposition to interferometric and holographic techniques.
- Received 28 March 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.3385
©2000 American Physical Society